Majorite is a high-pressure garnet variety typically found as microscopic inclusions within diamonds or as a product of meteorite impacts. It is characterized by its high-pressure structure and is highly sought after by mineralogists studying deep mantle processes.

Hardness

7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Majorite

Hardness: 7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this majorite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch majorite with a known reference. Majorite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Majorite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Majorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: purple, violet, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant grains, inclusions in diamonds.

Often confused with

Majorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside majorite

Minerals reported to co-occur with majorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₃(Fe,Si,Al)₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 7.5
Density: 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
Colors: Purple Violet Black
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Equant Grains, Inclusions in Diamonds
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Mantle-derived Xenoliths, Kimberlites, Meteorite Impact Sites
Typical price: $100-500 per micro-mount or diamond inclusion sample

Where rockhounds find majorite

Classic worldwide localities

Coorara meteorite, Australia
Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan
various diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes

Field-hunting tip

Look in mantle-derived xenoliths, kimberlites, meteorite impact sites country, the host setting where majorite typically forms. If you start seeing diamond, enstatite, omphacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant grains, inclusions in diamonds habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify majorite?+

Mohs hardness is 7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include purple, violet, black.

Where is majorite found?+

Notable localities include Coorara meteorite, Australia; Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan; various diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes.

How much is majorite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per micro-mount or diamond inclusion sample. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like majorite?+

Majorite is most often confused with Pyrope, Almandite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with majorite?+

Majorite commonly co-occurs with Diamond, Enstatite, Omphacite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does majorite form in?+

Majorite typically forms in mantle-derived xenoliths, kimberlites, meteorite impact sites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is majorite used for?+

Majorite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find majorite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.